Live simply so that others may simply live
-Gandhi
This is one of my favorite quotes.
This quote does not mean living without. It does not mean being poor or deprived, it simply means thinking about how you live and what you live with or without.
Imagine if everyone in non-third world countries lived like this. Would that help others?
Would this quote “ Live simply so that others may simply live” also help you with getting and staying clutter free?
Check out this short video on live simply so that others may simply live and enjoy these fascinating facts.
Here are a few fascinating facts to ponder.
- More than 4 million pairs of eyeglasses are trashed annually, according to Unite for Sight. When I am working hands on with a client and come across outdated prescription eyeglasses I take them to my local gym. There is a drop box at the front desk. These glasses get sent to third world countries and repurposed. There are more than a billion people with eye sight problems in this world. www.theVisionvillage.com, $20.00 for 20/20; www.worldvison.org.
- 22.3 billion lbs of textiles, including clothing, were thrown away in 2010. Now some of your husband’s tee shirts might warrant being thrown away however what about all the other clothing items in your closet that are not being worn? Can you donate tee shirts, pants, dresses etc to a less fortunate family? As many of you know I am a member of the Soroptimists International. We collect gently used items for the less fortunate family’s right here in the Greater Lower Mainland. Let me help you hands on with organizing your clothes closet. You will be amazed as to what we find to donate. Please keep in mind that nothing takes on value unless it is being used. Pass your clothing on before it is too late for anyone else to wear it.
- Had the estimated 32.7 billion aluminum cans tossed out in 2011 been redeemed at recycling center, they could have netted about $ 820 million. Can you believe this fascinating fact? As a kid I collected pop/beer cans, returned them and sent myself off to summer camp. Today Mark does all of our returns and donates the money to charity. We have very few returns however every little bit counts.
- 15.8 million tons of reading material (books/magazines) and other paper products were trashed in 2010. Who do you know who would love some new books, reading material or updated magazines? Why not take them with you the next time you go on vacation to a less fortunate country.
- Over ten million bicycles are dumped into American and European landfills yearly, says Bicycles for Humanity. Pass your children’s bikes on before they are all rusty and out of date. That goes with all the other sporting equipment sitting in your garage or crawl space.
- Each year more than 350 million pairs of shoes march into landfills, according to the charity “Shoes for the Cure” How many pairs of shoes does a gal/child need? If you are Imelda Markus you need a special closet just for shoes. If you are you and me well that is a different story. We are all on the road of decluttering so less is more. Keep the shoes that fit you, that are comfortable and in style. Please donate the rest.
- According to the NRDC, the average American family of four ends up tossing the equivalent of $2,275 of food into the garbage annually. Have you taken advantage of my FREE session yet? I will discuss menu planning and quick, easy, healthy recipes. Being organized and planning will eliminate food waste. CLICK HERE
- The roughly 38,000 miles of ribbon we toss each year is “enough to tie a bow around the Earth.” What if we used string and then repurposed that string or reused the ribbon?
- In 2010 Americans got rid of 152 million cell phones and other mobile devices, of which 135 million made their way to the landfill. Do you like to have the latest and greatest new phone that comes out? There is nothing wrong with that as long as you repurpose your old ones. These items and many more can be sent to third world countries or recycled through London Drugs.
- Let’s all work together to run our lives with TLC “Total Liquidation of Clutter” and TEW “Total Elimination of Waste” and LEI “Lower Environmental Impact”.
Join me in a simplicity movement or start one of your own in your community.
P.S. Have you heard about our referral program?
Hi Rowena — Such thoughtful words and a good reminder. Lately I’ve been watching my daughter open beautiful clothing gifts for her new baby. Who can resist those cute baby stores? But the collection of gently-used hand-me-downs passed on to her by her friends and cousins come with a usefulness greater than keeping my lovely grand-daughter cute and cozy. They share loving memories, show a sense of thrift and environmental concern and of course help to clear spaces.
My favourite saying is “This too shall pass” — it was the message from the keynote speaker at my university graduation in 1972!! It is a reminder to not only know that difficult times will be temporary but to also enjoy life’s gifts fully as they may be fleeting. Live in the moment with hope for the future I guess.
Lovely message delivery BTW. XODonna
Hi Donna, Thank You for sharing your favorite saying and your thoughts.Your saying is a great reminder as well.
Baby clothes and kids stuff is so abundant in our society. You are right that most of the items are new to nearly new. Thank You for passing items on. I’ll bet your grand-daughter would rather the money you spend on new clothes for her be put in a college fund! She would not appreciate it now but down the road she sure will. Go inside the stores and look at all the cute stuff and then leave knowing everyone is better off for it 🙂
Hello Rowena,
I find that this is wonderful quote and message. Thank you for taken over this project and bringing it to my attention.
I usually donate clothing and shoes to the Salvation Army, but I feel that Canada is such a rich country and that these items may be better put to use in 3rd word countries, where there so little.
Thanks for your inspiring message.
I was puzzled about your first email about bulling. this not only goes on in school, but in some workplaces. I would like to hear more information about this issue.
Thanks,
Linda
Hi Linda,
Sadly bulling goes on in workplaces, schools and even homes. We can even see it on the streets. Just imagine how the world would be if we all thought about being kind to one another. We can start a movement. One person at a time. 🙂 I think you are already on my team.
Thank you for your kind words.
Rowena
I have a box of sayings that I periodically collect. So, I don’t have one favorite quote — I guess it depends on my mood. The one that inspires me today is by Robert Frost, “Freedom lies in being bold.”
I’m recently new to the online world, with the hopes of starting a business. I’ve always been the type to follow the rules. I’m slowly breaking free of that and just doing what feels right for me.. what feels bold!
And, thank you for the reminder about living simply. We far too often take that for granted. I lived in Africa for a few years and remember how almost everything was repurposed. I need to be more aware of that — I love your idea, I think I’ll start with my closet!
Thanks for the inspiration, have a good day.
Hi Jennifer,
Thank you for your kind words. I like your saying as well.
Awareness is the first BIG step to change.
“Together” we can make a difference.
Oh! This is just what I need, I just moved and my closet is an absolute mess! Thank you!
Hi Laura,
So happy you found this information helpful.
My pleasure to be of service. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.
Rowena